Black leopard have always fascinated us & if you too thought that black leopards are a different specie of big cats, don’t worry, you are not the only one to believe so.
Most of us have grown up thinking that black leopards are an exclusive breed which is not just rare but also different from leopards. Well, they are rare and its only a small percentile of leopards which are black, but they are very not a different breed. But before we get there, its important to understand the meaning of term ‘Melanism’.
What is Melanism ?
Melanism is the advanced version of the dark-coloured pigment called melanin found in the skin, hair, fur or feathers of various organisms. Melanism is supposedly the outcome of a genetic mutation, but can also occur due to peculiar temperature changes during gestation. Just like human beings, wildlife is also prone to this mutation which causes excessive production of melanin, leading to a darker appearance.
Similarly, a black leopard is dark in colour due to ‘melanism’, which is quite commonly found in leopards – it’s a condition, wherein the whole skin of the animal, including its spots, is black in colour. A black panther has the darkish brown (or black) fur with black rosettes and are sometime visible under favourable light conditions. These panthers or melanistic leopards are therefore not a separate species, however a form of melanism
Black leopard characteristics
Black leopards share the same characteristics as that of a leopard. In fact, black panthers use their melanism to their foraging advantage when they set out for hunting at night.
It was thought that black leopards are found more in regions with high rainfall and dense foliage after most of the records about the existence of black leopards in India showed their presence in North East India and Western Ghats.
However, as this is result of a genetic mutation, there isn’t any co-relation that can be attributed to the external factors. This was supported by the most recent records of black leopards being discovered in different parts of the country.
Black Leopard in Tadoba National Park
Tadoba-Andhari National Park is famously known for tiger sightings with reportedly more than 80 tigers found in the park and has gained immense popularity in recent years as the top park for tiger sightings. It is one of India’s forty-seven project tiger reserves and the largest parks in the state of Maharashtra.
In 2018, a Belgian family was lucky to spot a sub adult partial black leopard at a waterhole on a late evening safari in the Kolsa Range. It was difficult to believe the sighting, as black leopards in Central India were known to be rare.
However, the forest officials captured the black leopard sightings through their camera traps and the presence of black cats was confirmed. The leopard is dotingly called ‘Blackie’ by the park officials.